Odhikar Statement

Odhikar is deeply shocked and mourns the deaths at the Holey Artisan Bakery incident in Gulshan, Dhaka, Bangladesh on July 1, 2016. Odhikar extends its deepest sympathies to the families of the victims. As a human rights organization, Odhikar believes that preventive strategies that improve the moral, ethical and political culture of society is a must, if we want to avert such violent occurrences.

AFAD Statement on the Anniversary of the UNHRC Adoption of the International Convention on Enforced Disappearances

Manila, 27 June 2016 – This year marks the tenth year since the International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearances was adopted by the Human Rights Council (UNHRC) during its first session on 27 June 2006. It was the first resolution of the UN Human Rights Council. This was a landmark victory in the history of the global struggle against enforced disappearances, which was officially offered by His Excellency Ambassador Bernard Kessedjian, head of the Working Group of the former UN Commission on Human Rights that drafted the Convention to Mrs. Marta Ocampo de Vasquez, then President of FEDEFAM and presently of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo-Linea Fundadora of Argentina.

AFAD Statement on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

26 June 2016

Manila, 26 June 2016 – June 26 is recognized internationally as the United Nations International Day in
Support of Victims of Torture. On this day, in 1987, the UN Convention Against Torture and Other
Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) entered into force. On this occasion,
the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) expresses its solidarity with and
support for the many victims of torture and their families all over the world.

18 Years of Commitment For a World Without Desaparecidos

In all these 18 years, organizational storms in forms of threats, risks, resource constraints have not weakened, but instead strengthened further the Federation.  Its common basis of unity and the imperative of solidarity have transcended geographical boundaries and differences in many respects among AFAD’s member-organizations.  Linking arms with like-minded organizations in the region and in the rest of the world will ensure that AFAD’s voice be made loud and clear enough to be heard.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkVF4GwYsS8&feature=youtu.be